THE Blues are back ... beaten but buoyed after forcing the reigning premiers into sustained periods of fumbles on Saturday.
Inglewood may have lost the opening round encounter after Marong kicked two late goals to snare a seven-point victory but as the large crowd witnessed, the Blues are back in town.
The continued maturity of Gabe Nevins sparked Inglewood into action after Marong was allowed to have the better on the scoreboard in the first 15 minutes of what would become an epic encounter.
Nevins snapped from almost 50 metres out for the Blues’ first goal. Then he drilled the ball down to Bregon Cotchett, back in the Navy and White after a year away.
Inglewood was two goals down at the first break after refusing to allow the Panthers become executioner as they so often have done in the last three seasons of virtual dominance.
Momentum was building with Nevins committed around the ground, Veitch at the top of the defence arc and Miler proving more than handy up forward.  There were times when the trademark Marong system popped up, loose man across the centre sitting one back on play and ready to pounce.
But Inglewood so often had that sussed and by the main break, again thanks to another Nevins goal, was trailing by just three points.
Seb Erharter and pacey Tynan Hywood on the wing were part of a stunnign surge by Inglewood in the third term when the Blues snatched the lead and went to the final break five points up.
Inglewood was standing firm against the experienced Panther with three minutes left on the clock.
The Panthers turned over play in defence and Ben Gregg powered through a goal from 30 metres out. A point up, co-coach Kain Robins marked and slotted through the goal to seal a victory for the Panthers. The take out from this match are simple: Marong fumbled under pressure, its trademark style often out-smarted by a younger, and generally faster Inglewood. 
The difference in round one was that the Panthers still have a few wise old heads running around. For Inglewood, the energised Blues matched it with the league yardstick. Sure, had chance to pull off an early season upset but have shown they will be have the confidence that was lacking last season.
Fergus Payne was the coaching match of Marong’s new duopoly of Robins and Thomas.
There was system in Inglewood’s game plan. A system that has plenty of room to grow.
It’s early and only one round completed but last Saturday may have been a sign of one side slipping a bit the season, another ready to rise.
- CHRIS EARL